The internal turmoil within Nigeria’s leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has remained a major topic in national politics for years, tracing its roots back to disagreements before the 2023 general elections.
The conflict began with debates over the party’s zoning formula and which region should produce the 2023 presidential flagbearer. Key PDP figures, including the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, consistently pushed for a southern presidential candidate and the party chairmanship to be retained in the north.
Despite these calls, the party stuck to its structure, leading to Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the presidential candidate after defeating Wike in the primary. His victory triggered a political revolt within the PDP. The G5 governors, also known as the Integrity Group, refused to back Atiku, insisting that power should shift to the South after President Buhari’s eight-year tenure. They argued that another northern presidency would undermine national balance and violate the PDP’s zoning principles.
As the fallout continued, the PDP recently elected former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as its new National Chairman during its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. Turaki, the consensus candidate from the North-West, won unopposed with 1,516 votes after Lado Danmarke withdrew from the race—though Danmarke still secured 275 votes from delegates.
Other positions were also filled, with Solarin Sunday Adekunle emerging as Deputy National Organising Secretary. Several offices were returned unopposed, while the roles of Youth Leader and Deputy National Legal Adviser were stepped down for further consultations.
Turaki’s emergence aligns with the PDP’s zoning decision earlier in the year, which reserved the 2027 presidential ticket for the South, making the national chairmanship a northern slot. High-profile party figures from various states attended the convention to endorse the new leadership.
Governors Distance Themselves from Wike’s Expulsion
Shortly after the convention, controversy erupted when the new leadership announced the expulsion of Nyesom Wike, Ayodele Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu and other top members.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State quickly dissociated himself from the expulsion, declaring that such actions could deepen the PDP’s crisis. He called for reconciliation, warning that removing influential members would only destabilize the party further.
Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, through his spokesperson, maintained that the issue was never discussed at the PDP Governors Forum or at the National Executive Committee before being presented on the convention floor. He emphasized that the move did not reflect his position, urging the party to prioritise unity and internal healing.
Turaki-Led NWC Issues Expulsion Certificates
Following a review meeting in Abuja, the new National Working Committee (NWC) announced that expulsion certificates had been dispatched to Wike, Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and several others. Turaki stressed that the decision was aimed at restoring discipline and preventing further internal sabotage. He also noted that security agencies, INEC, and other institutions had been formally notified.
The party warned that anyone conducting business with the expelled members in the name of the PDP would be doing so at their own risk.
Two Rival Factions Trade Public Disclaimers
In a dramatic twist, both factions within the PDP issued public disclaimers:
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The Turaki-led faction declared Wike, Fayose, and their allies as non-members of the PDP.
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The Wike-led faction responded by listing Governors Seyi Makinde, Bala Mohammed, and Dauda Lawal among those it no longer considers members.
With the 2027 elections fast approaching, uncertainty looms over the future of the PDP.
Will the party collapse under its internal battles, or find a way to restructure and mount a strong challenge against the APC in the next presidential race?
